Banyan

Banyan

Banyan Gallagher is an international performer with over eight years experience in the fire dancing and performance art field.  He has performed all over the world alongside some of the greatest performance troupes and musical acts including Cirque du Soleil.  

He's an equally talented and experienced Yoga instructor, and we've been lucky to have him lead us into balance and alignment at some very special International Retreats. See more of him in 2011!

We've also had the opportunity to work with Banyan to film a short series of double staff tutorials.

February 2-9, 2013 | Montezuma, Costa Rica

If you love yoga and want to go deeper into your practice, here's your opportunity: Banyan, who's been our official yoga teacher of awesomeness for many years(as well as a true ninja with the staffs both straight and curvy), is offering a 7-day yoga immersion in Montezuma, Costa Rica! 

Never afraid to have a laugh and always prepared to challenge students on levels physical, mental, and energetic, anyone who's spent time in the tutelage of this athlete/mustache competitor/performance artist/yogi/clown will speak to Banyan's capabilities as a teacher.  

This retreat will revolve around a deeper understanding of yoga and tantra, the ancient yogic science of techniques designed to help us overcome our limitations(think not just tight hamstrings, but deeper fears and mental blocks). Banyan’s deep and yet playful approach will inspire a loving self-inquiry and a new direction to your practice.  All levels of student are welcome.

Each day the group will have two powerful sessions together. The morning session, from 7-9 am, will be a more solar, physical practice to help us wake, detox and prepare for the day. The afternoon session, usually 5:30 - 7:00pm, will be on the more subtle side focusing on philosophy, breathwork, meditation, and inversions. The schedule is designed to maximize free time so we can explore everything the Nicoya Peninsula has to offer.   

Two healthy, gorgeous meals a day are included, as well as accommodation and a snorkeling trip to the even more remote Tortuga island.  The retreat is held seconds away from the beach, and minutes away from a jungle waterfall, with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.  So whether you crave a day alternating between hammocks and massage tables or cliff-diving and surfing, you'll find a way.

This will truly be a life-changing retreat, with a small, intimate group.  Expect to leave more relaxed, invigorated and with more mental clarity on how to live your life to the fullest.  

We here at playpoi are tickled watermelon pink that this retreat is timed just a few days after our own retreat in montezuma!  Rumor has it that a few of our favorite spinners will stay on and combine both events into one experience sure to transform anyone into the Self they've always believed themselves to be!

Montezuma, Costa Rica | January 19th - 31st, 2013

We are returning to Costa Rica to offer another round of poi and yoga retreats with La Escuela Del Sol! Join us for thirteen days of intermediate/advanced poi retreat yumminess with Nick Woolsey as the poi teacher, and Banyan as our yoga teacher. Retreats are limited to 20 participants so best to register early if you want a spot.

Playpoi.com retreat promo ~ Costa Rica from LucidTV on Vimeo.

Empowering your State of Flow!

Join us for this 1st-of-it's-kind retreat, hosted by La Esquela del Sol.

If Playpoi and a Zen Monastery had a baby it would be this retreat. Nick Woolsey, Alien Jon, Banyan, Tea Faerie, and Thom Thumb of team Playpoi have joined forces to bring you a totally different kind of retreat. This week is fueled by a vision of something more important than poi tricks. We're aiming at tangible personal transformation and the ability to manifest the flow state at will.

Banyan has been our beloved yoga teacher at many Playpoi poi retreats. If you love yoga and want to go deeper into your practice, here's your opportunity: Banyanis offering a 7-day yoga immersion in Montezuma, Costa Rica! This retreat will center on a deeper understanding of yoga and tantra, the ancient yogic science of techniques designed to help us overcome our limitations. Banyan’s deep and yet playful approach will inspire a loving self-inquiry and a new direction to your practice.  All levels of student are welcome.

We are offering our first ever international poi retreat for beginners with La Escuela Del Sol! 

Join us for a whole week of poi adventuring with Nick Woolsey, Alien Jon, and Banyan as our yoga teacher. The retreat is limited to 20 participants so best to register early if you want a spot. 

We are returning to Costa Rica to offer more intermediate/advanced poi retreats with La Escuela Del Sol! Join us with Nick Woolsey, Rob Thorburn, and Banyan as our yoga teacher. Retreats are limited to 20 participants so best to register early if you want a spot.

We had a great third year in Bali! Check out this album for a peek!

Thanks to Shin and Alistair for their beautiful photos.

My friends Illzao and Banyan just made a trip to Sumatra, to perform a circus show for children, disabled groups, and retirement communities. Not much poi but lots of love and smiles and inspiration!

Ubud, Bali | February 27 - March 9, 2011

10 days and 10 nights of poi dancing, yoga, celebration, and explorations of a beautiful and unique island.

Join Nick and G in poi and Adrian and Banyan in yoga at this year's Bali International Retreat with a balance of yoga and poi for intermediate spinners.

Read more for details and registration!

2010 Bali Playpoi Retreats: Go!

Fire spinning in Bali!  This video was filmed on the final night of our March 2010 International Poi Retreats and features participants, instructors, and friends.

Big thanks to everybody, and props to Karen for shooting and editing!

One part training, two parts play, this video highlights awesome moments during our March 2010 International Poi Retreats in Bali.

The fourth video in our Double Staffs with the Amazing Banyan series!